Google+ the real problem has nothing to do with UI!
Google+ has a harsh reality… adoption is weak, well behind Pintrest and Tumblr in terms of adoption (with good reason). +Google is missing the point again with their UI release.
Google+ has 3 problems that cause a 4th:
1. Brands wont drive traffic because it’s too hard to manage.
Google+ is far to hard to manage from a branded standpoint, it doesn’t fit in to Marcom plans well at all. Transmedia is the future and Google+ requries a management tool that integrates all platforms together, pages must be managed from outside of G+ on as many publishing platforms as possible.
2. Brands wont come because its to hard to monitor
Sure you can search Google+ but monitoring tools do not have access to this data (According to the TOS). With the first rule of brand management being listen, many brands wont get off the starting line. Again Google+ should be open to as many monitoring platforms as possible.
3. Brands wont come because they cant grow
Users love that Google+ doesnt have ads, brands not so much. Their game in terms of value is size, they cant grow they cant invest. They cant invest they dont allocate resources. No excuse for this, Google can fix it 10,000 ways.
4. Super users (relational power houses) power brands
Community managers are great at developing and maintaining online relationships, it’s their job. Those users create value and make the world interesting, if they are not on a network the pull of relationships is not there. A pulse from time to time can happen but its not sustained. Community managers follow their brands, they must live on the channels they manage. If they dont get value they wont make the effort.
Change the UI all you want, it’s not the problem. The problem is deeper, more central, bigger, and frankly more important. Google is creating an inferior product and it seems they have no idea why. Build to the brands and let the public follow.
Brands are the new college student.
+Sergey Brin I hope you are reading this.
![Tis the day to violate Facebook contest rules… wow..
See terms and conditions here —> https://www.facebook.com/page_guidelines.php
The section so many are violating today …
E. Promotions
If you use Facebook to communicate about or administer a promotion (such as a contest or sweepstakes), you are responsible for the lawful operation of that promotion, including the official rules, offer terms and eligibility requirements (e.g., age and residency restrictions), and compliance with regulations governing the promotion and all prizes offered in connection with the promotion (e.g., registration and obtaining necessary regulatory approvals). Please note that compliance with these guidelines does not constitute the lawfulness of a promotion. Promotions are subject to many regulations and if you are not certain that your promotion complies with applicable law, please consult with an expert.
i. Promotions on Facebook must be administered withinApps on Facebook.com, either on a Canvas Page or a Page App.
ii. Promotions on Facebook must include the following:
a. A complete release of Facebook by each entrant or participant.
b. Acknowledgment that the promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.
c. Disclosure that the participant is providing information to [disclose recipient(s) of information] and not to Facebook.
iii. You must not condition registration or entry upon the user taking any action using any Facebook features or functionality other than liking a Page, checking in to a Place, or connecting to your app. For example, you must not condition registration or entry upon the user liking a Wall post, or commenting or uploading a photo on a Wall.
iv. You must not use Facebook features or functionality as a promotion’s registration or entry mechanism. For example, the act of liking a Page or checking in to a Place cannot automatically register or enter a promotion participant.
v. You must not use Facebook features or functionality, such as the Like button, as a voting mechanism for a promotion.
vi. You must not notify winners through Facebook, such as through Facebook messages, chat, or posts on profiles (timelines) or Pages.
vii. Definitions:
a. By “administration” we mean the operation of any element of the promotion, such as collecting entries, conducting a drawing, judging entries, or notifying winners.
b. By “communication” we mean promoting, advertising or referencing a promotion in any way on Facebook, e.g., in ads, on a Page, or in a Wall post.
Just a heads up and reminder… dont do stuff like this. It puts your brand in a bad position, both legally and with Facebook.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/a0fea018fec97a520dc0841a75b80a88/tumblr_mgc6c3b1WS1qavcjko1_1280.jpg)
